The price of a free republic (no pun intended) is the blood of patriots. Texas paid that price in 1836 and we remember what it costs.
Louisiana was bought (like a slave) and has never had to pay for its existence (Civil War aside).
This is probably the major factor in the difference between the two states and societies.
I think the root of La political corruption goes back to its origins as a French and Spanish colony.
We were bought but so were all the other states of the La purchase. So why are we do different.